Jessica Health and Beautyhttp://jessicafan.us
Real beauty is to be true to oneself. That's what makes me feel goodTue, 04 Oct 2016 06:32:12 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.5.4Deep Tissue Massageshttp://jessicafan.us/deep-tissue-massages
Fri, 30 Sep 2016 02:00:44 +0000http://jessicafan.us/?p=153Deep tissue massages performed by a registered massage therapist, have been quite often used under a wide variety of conditions. Rather than the utilization of this sort of treatment being related solely with recovery from particular muscle issues or wounds, now these techniques help recuperation in a wide plan of conditions.

What makes this sort of massage unique is that the applied pressure is put more onto the deep layers of muscle and related tissues. The movements an RMT utilizes all through this particular treatment may have all the appearances of those that are commonplace in other massage methods, however in this process the pace of them is much slower. To have the ability to massage the lower layers where the injury is found, there is also a difference in the ways in which the weight is used.

With these methods, it is conceivable to get to the lower levels of muscles and the tissues around them instead of simply the surface. Untreated muscle agony may make bunches of solidified and excruciating tissues, in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Those bunches can then cut off the stream of blood around them, which can bring about extreme amounts of soreness, restrict the ability to move, and could even cause a high danger of infection in that area.

Your local registered massage therapist North York may utilize certain specific procedures in this massage. Every one of them is done with the intent of diminishing the soreness in muscles and tissues, making them more mobile and free of pain. Rather than the standard sort of session where the lower arms and hands are what is used most often, fingertips, knuckles and elbows are what are utilized to massage those deep muscles.

Longer and heavier weight will be used by a RMT on these muscles in this session. Any sudden or sharp movements could instead make a bigger issue, or increase a present one. A firm weight must be held down on those sore spots for a particular measure of time before moving on to do the same to the others. The procedure in this treatment allows the registered massage therapist to relieve strain and manage the limited flexibility in the deep muscles and tissue.

Deep tissue massages have been beneficial to people who have certain conditions, for instance, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. This sort of treatment has shown itself to be particularly helpful in dealing with constant painful sensation in muscles and recovery after a harm that can be brought on by an accidental or sports injury. Conditions that have displayed a level of progress in the wake of encountering this sort of treatment are soreness in the lower back, muscle strain in the upper back, limited movement, stance issues, strain in different parts of the leg (like the quadriceps or hamstrings) and some musculoskeletal conditions.

It is essential that a treatment like this is performed by qualified registered massage therapist because of the specific properties of this procedure. This is critical simply because there are particular potential issues and techniques to think about which as a RMT will totally know about. Brought to you by North York Spa.

Most common anti aging creams are usually made of typical ingredients that most other creams are made of as well. Ingredients like Retinol, Collagen and Antioxidants are commonly found in popular creams that you see at almost every store.

The trick to finding a cream that works for you is actually really simple. What seems like an impossible task is actually one of the easiest things that you can accomplish with great results. 1 situation of many that I’ve had is dandruff. I’ve tried almost every dandruff fighting product on the market and even a prescription treatment which did not help at all. That is of course until my parents went to Israel and came back with a shampoo that was not specifically meant for dandruff but it had dead sea minerals in there to help condition that scalp. After using half of the small little bottle my dandruff was almost completely gone!

In this same way anyone can find a solution for their anti aging needs. The most common ingredient used to fight dandruff is Ketoconazole and from what I’ve learned my scalp doesn’t need that, it needs Dead Sea Minerals. Most common anti aging creams consist of ingredients that hundreds of others are using and so you are basically trying the same ingredient over and over just under a different name and a different claim.

In fact, it may not even be an anti aging cream that you need. Your body may be telling you that you need something else by taking away the glow from your skin. The only anti aging treatment that works for everyone is a healthy diet and regular exercise. Exercising regularly keeps the heart healthy. A healthy heart keeps blood flowing properly as it should and when that happens you are getting more nutrients and anti-oxidants delivered to you skin which helps with fighting the aging process.

Along with staying active, a healthy diet is just as important. Exercising speeds up the delivery of said nutrients and anti-oxidants and that means that there is a higher demand for them. Not only will this help with fighting the aging process but this combination will also help in every other aspect of your life. As far as using anti wrinkle creams to fight aging, it all comes down to figuring out what your body really needs.

One thing you can do is explore some none famous brands and maybe even go organic. However, keep in mind that you must look into the ingredients of each product that you consider to make sure that you are not just trying the same thing over and over again.

An anti aging combo that seems to be gaining mass internet attention has actually been released recently. Although many anti aging creams use typical ingredients, this combo uses those ingredients but there is a surprise twist.

There is an entire article page that talks about how this trick was exposed and how it uses it’s special formula to hide and even erase wrinkles fast.

]]>Is It Best to Have a Combo Face & Neck Lift or Hold Two Separate Surgical Procedureshttp://jessicafan.us/is-it-best-to-have-a-combo-face-neck-lift-or-hold-two-separate-surgical-procedures
Thu, 17 Mar 2016 13:11:29 +0000http://jessicafan.us/?p=65

The facelift remains one of the most popular procedures for women, and is also becoming more acceptable among men looking to correct the effects of gravity and aging on the face. But sometimes aging extends below the jawline, and on those occasions it’s not uncommon to do a facelift plus a neck lift. So is it best to have a combo face and neck lift or hold 2 separate procedures. A facial plastic surgeon can help you decide the most effective option for you.

In determining the most appropriate procedure the surgeon will look at your specific skin concerns. This includes the amount of skin laxity in the face and neck, as well as the amount of excess fat in the neck.

Neck lift surgery

The aging neck is generally characterized by loose skin and excess fat in the neck region, along with deep folds and lax muscles. A neck lift is designed to improve the appearance of the area that extends under the jaw line down to the collarbone.

During the procedure the surgeon will tighten the underlying muscles, eliminate vertical muscles bands, and remove fat deposits, so as to restore the neck’s youthful contours and profile.

Changes in the neck are among the earliest signs of aging. Therefore the neck lift is usually recommended for younger patients who need to treat their neck only, and have no aging concerns with the face.

When there is a more defined angle between the jaw and neck the face looks a lot more youthful. If your face is firm and rejuvenated, but your neck looks aged it will make you seem older than you really are.

Facelift surgery

A facelift is an effective way to reverse common signs of aging. Most patients reap huge benefits from the procedure, as they often look up to 10 years younger. The facelift is a safe procedure that is regularly done by middle-aged women and men who desire to turn back the clock, and create meaningful changes in their lives.

A facelift corrects creasing in the mid and lower regions of the face, and eliminates the excess skin and fat that causes sagging and drooping. It also improves the contours of the chin and jawline. The procedure can be customized to deal with your specific aging concerns, and this will depend on the stage you are in the aging process.

During a facelift the surgeon will tighten the muscles and tissues, and also trim loose skin away from the face.

When to do a combo face and neck lift

Both a facelift and a neck lift can restore a youthful appearance, but the facelift stops at the neck, so if you have aging issues beyond the jawline, you will also need a neck lift. There are several aesthetic values to be gained from doing a face and neck lift at the same time.

Who is a good candidate?

A combination procedure is suitable for individuals with degrees of aging in both the face and neck, as work will have to be done on both areas to improve the appearance of the face.

Areas addressed by the facelift/neck lift combo

The combo procedure can improve skin laxity in the cheeks and neck, and correct wrinkling of the lower face and neck. It also minimizes jowls, improves the neck profile, eliminates a turkey neck or vertical bands in the neck, tightens loose muscles in the face and neck, and eliminates excess fat in the lower face and neck.

If you have signs of aging on the face and neck then doing the procedures simultaneously will create a more harmonious look. The cost of the combination procedure is also cheaper than doing 2 separate procedures, and in addition, you only have to deal with one recovery time.

The diseases of Western Society and an ageing population are often in the media; does that worry, annoy, or disinterest you? We are living longer, but diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and other chronic conditions can disrupt the comfort and quality of life. The causes are being studied, but who really knows who and what to believe?

Many are trying to live a more natural lifestyle, even if only as an insurance plan. We use skin care daily, morning and night, on face and body. So for those trying to live more naturally, choosing natural skin care and anti ageing products can be an important way to cut down on potentially harmful toxins. Of course our bodies have built-in cleaning mechanisms, but the amount of toxins in our modern lives may be putting too much pressure on our body systems (such as the endocrine system and immune system). There is such a thing as too much pressure.

No one has proven with certainty what chemicals are harmful, especially when it comes to anti ageing products, household products, tooth pastes etc. But the David Suzuki Foundation and TEDx (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange) are two credible sources for me, that both provide ‘evidence-based’ lists of potentially harmful chemicals. Evidence in this area is not perfect and likely will never be. So combining evidence with intuition about how strong your own body’s own cleaning and immune systems are (and your children’s) can help to decide what skin care and anti ageing products you will, and will not, use.

The David Suzuki Foundation lists the following ingredients as potentially harmful (I.e, potential to cause cancer, to disrupt the endocrine system or other body systems, or harmful effects on fish and wildlife):

BHA and BHT, preservatives in moisturisers and make-up.

Coal tar dyes: p-phenylenediamine, colours listed as “CI” followed by a five digit number.

DEA-, MEA- and TEA-related ingredients.

Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives; look for DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, methenamine and quarternium-15, used in a variety of cosmetics.

Parabens, this is now widely publicised to be potentially harmful, and many cosmetics no longer use this as an ingredient. It may be still be used in some cosmetics as preservatives.

Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance); any mixture of fragrance ingredients used in a variety of cosmetics. Some fragrance ingredients can trigger allergies and asthma or have some evidence of potential to cause cancer and neurotoxicity. Some are harmful to fish and other wildlife.

PEG compound, propylene glycol, and other ingredients with the letters “eth” (e.g., polyethylene glycol) used in many cosmetic cream bases.

Petrolatum, a petroleum product that can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which may cause cancer. It may be found as a moisture barrier in some lip balms, lip sticks and moisturisers.

Siloxanes or methicones. Used in a variety of cosmetics.

Sodium laureth sulphate, sodium lauryl sulphate which may be found in foaming cosmetic products.

Triclosan. Used in antibacterial cosmetics, such as toothpastes, cleansers and antiperspirants. Suspected endocrine disrupter and may contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Harmful to fish and other wildlife.

I have looked high and low for good quality natural anti ageing skin care products, even bringing lists of ingredients with me to the shops.

One way I get around this issue when I am very busy, is to use pure essential oils and pure fractionated coconut oil. These embody the protective, cleansing and healing essences in plants, and have no other ingredients. These all naturals can be used to clean and moisturise skin, brush teeth, and clean the home. A little bit of mixing in glass bottles may be required, but this is simple to learn and overall it saves me time and money.

The older we get the more the hyaluronic acid content, which is important for hydration and water retention in our bodies, decreases. This means our skin becomes drier and starts to lose its plumpness. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that occurs in the body, it holds water, which hydrates and gives volume to the skin. As we age, this production of hyaluronic acid diminishes.

For a number of reasons, maybe age, stress or weight loss, we might find that our face is beginning to look tired, drawn and gaunt. A younger person’s skin looks firmer and plumper in comparison, thanks in part to collagen and hyaluronic acid. But as we get older, these substances in our skin slowly begin to diminish and this results in a loss of facial volume. One of the ways to combat the signs of getting older, is to replace the hyaluronic acid that is lost during the ageing process.

Dermal fillers are the ideal, non-surgical treatment to improve facial contours, fill out sunken cheeks, reduce wrinkles and fine lines and help people regain their former youthful looks. Before our late 30’s, the skin should still keep it’s natural contoured nature and volume, without too many wrinkles or sagging, which makes the process a better prospect for middle-aged skin. Although late nights, heavy drinking and smoking can speed up the signs of ageing, so it’s possible to need Dermal Fillers at a younger age.

The fillers are injected under the skin into the lower parts of the face, and give gentle volumising and contouring. They create a naturally smoothed out appearance and fill in the fine lines and wrinkles and plump out the grooves and creases. The effects of dermal fillers are much softer than other treatments, giving an instant rejuvenating appearance. Today, dermal fillers have changed the face of cosmetic medicine.

By simply placing the fillers in strategic places:

Adds volume to hollowed, gaunt, or sunken areas of the face.

Gives a natural filled out appearance under the lower eyelids, correcting the hollowed eyed look.

Softening of the deep grooves between the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth.

By adding volume the cheeks, it improves the marionette lines from the mouth to the chin.

Jowls correction can give you the result of a smooth jaw line.

Gently thickens skin that has thinned, due to ageing.

Improves furrows, deep folds and creases.

The precise placing of fillers plumps up the apples of the cheeks and sculpts the cheek bones.

The effects of dermal fillers are instant, so there’s no waiting for weeks until any swelling has gone down to see how the procedure has turned out. There’s a small chance however, of slight bleeding where the needle enters the skin, and slight swelling or redness at the injection area, although this will go down very quickly and the use of an ice pack will speed up resolution.

Benefits include:

It’s a non-invasive treatment.

Little downtime, so you can return to normal activities straight away.

It reduces lines and wrinkles to give the face a more youthful looking appearance.

Fillers replenish lost volume and give a softer, younger look.

Long lasting results.

Most of today’s dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, which improves skin hydration and stimulates the body’s production of collagen. With a few syringes of dermal filler, your face is plumper and the cheeks lifted, which also has a lifting effect on the jaw-line.

Do you need help choosing a cosmetic procedure? We provide an extensive range of cosmetic procedures for the face and body to help create a younger, slimmer, more youthful looking you!

At the Selston Cosmetic Clinic, based in Selston, Nottingham, we offer a bespoke service with a personalised touch and deliver high client satisfaction. We have been involved in the cosmetic industry for over 10 years.

The sun provides some significant benefits to not only our skin but to everything around from plants to animals to our overall health and even our mood! One of the benefits that we get from the sun is our source of vitamin D. Vitamin D is what strengthens our immune system, our bones and can even prevent some types of cancer. The sun’s UV rays also slow down the growth of our skin cells which can help a skin condition called psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin condition in which the skin sheds cells more quickly than it should which causes itchiness in the skin.

Aside from the benefits that the sun can provide, it can also do some major harm. Too much of anything is not very good. If you consume too much of any specific product, healthy or not, it will have a negative effect.

One of the negative effects that the sun can have on our skin is one that most of us have been through before. Sunburns are not very pleasant. Depending on the severity of a sunburn it can even prevent you from getting the sleep you need and will not allow you to function properly during the day. The worst part of a sun burn for me is trying to take a shower. Ouch!

The sun also has a negative effect on how we age. Excessive exposure to the suns UV actually increases the aging process in our skin and over time you will notice signs of premature aging. Squinting your eyes, and too much exposure to the sun damages our skin and increase wrinkles around the eyes. 2 tips to use when you’re out in the sun is to use sunscreen with a high SPF and wear sunglasses as much as possible to avoid squinting.

In the most extreme cases the sun has even been known to be the main cause of various types of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma and Melanoma are the 3 main types of skin cancer that have been studied and scientists agree that too much skin damage from the sun’s radiation is the main cause in all 3 of those common skin cancers.

When you’re out in the sun always remember to leave the house with your sunglasses and some extra sunscreen. It is recommended to get your regular dose of the sunshine and the vitamin D that it provides but always remember that if you are exposed too long then you are putting your skin and your health at risk.

The main ingredient in sunscreen is the SPF. SPF is the strength of the cream and how effectively it blocks the sun’s rays. One little trick that some people use to combat aging is by actually using an anti aging cream that fights the aging process and at the same time blocks the suns harmful rays only allowing the beneficial parts through like Vitamin D.

A mid 40s guy, and obviously obese, went to see his doctor for chest pains.

After asking him the usual question and taking down his medical history, the doctor told him that his vital signs are normal but that he should spare an hour a day to exercise his excess fat away.

“Doctor, I don’t think I can fit an hour of exercise into my busy schedule, “protested the guy.

“I understand,” the doctor calmly told his patient. Then added, “So tell me, what easily fits in your schedule, an hour of exercise a day or to be dead 24 hours a day?”

This might seem a sick joke, but there’s plenty of truth in this dry humor. According to 2010 statistics, a whopping 30.8% of Americans between 45 and 64 are obese, of which 1 in 5 will die from it according to a study published online in August last year by the American Journal for Public Health.

Particularly susceptible are men in their 40s and above because of career demands, apathy, laziness, or plain resignation to the aging effects on their bodies. The irony is that they waste no time in seeing their doctor once they feel chest pains, swollen joints, high cholesterol, or their blood sugar start to taste as sweet ah honey.

This attitude towards health is sometime incomprehensible. If florists spray their flowers with chemicals to make them look fresh a few more days, and groceries refrigerate their meat and fruit stocks to avoid early rot, a lot of midlife men leave it to chance to enjoy life a little fuller and longer – even if it costs practically nothing.

For example, these seven simple ways have proven that life need not start wilting at midlife.

Living clean refers more to your lifestyle and the choices you make that can support or make it a living hell.

It means eating the right kinds of food. It does not necessarily mean going on a diet, but more on eating foods rich with vitamins and minerals your body needs to ward off aging-related illnesses, energy and stamina.

It means keeping away from too much fat, too much carbohydrates and too much salt.

Clean living means regular physical activity to keep away heart problems, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and depression, to name a few.

A 30 min of brisk walking at least three times a week, or mowing the lawn or cleaning the car is sufficient enough to keep your system well-oiled and functioning.

If you regularly warm up your car to keep it always well-lubricated, why can’t you do the same of your body?

Keep away, or control your cigarette, or alcohol consumption. Definitely keep away from drugs. These are the major causes of early deaths among men in midlife.

2. Have a family or personal doctor:

You need not have a specialist. A general practitioner will do. But someone you can play golf or fishing with, and can chill out with on a personal level.

He must be trusted to hold your in confidentiality your most personal medical and personal secrets, and a wide network or specialists he can refer you to, just in case.

And, of course, he can be reached by phone anywhere he may be, any time of the day.

3. Have an attitude for life:

Midlife crisis opens a lot of men to feelings of depression.

While we all have bouts of depression due to unmet expectations, relationship and work problems, children who fail to measure up, and many other things, be careful not to let them rule your life for more than a day, or a week. If they last longer than that, you are in for the very nasty clinical depression.

Immediately see a doctor if it does. Depression is deadly. But it can be cured if nipped in the bud.

4. Avoid injuries and other illnesses:

Our sense of balance deteriorates as we age, our hearings are impaired, and our eyesight becomes less than 20.20. All these can cause accidental falls, leading to injuries.

Osteoporosis, a bone problem caused by calcium deficiency, is a common illness among men in their 50s. In fact a study shows that men in this age bracket have a higher risk of breaking a bone anytime soon.

Be sure to strap on your seatbelts when driving, and remove unnecessary obstacles in your home that may cause you to trip and fall.

Old bones don’t heal as well and as fast as young ones.

5. Have regular sex:

I am not kidding. Sex is good, sex is healthy, and it is one damn good exercise. Studies show that ejaculating at least three times a week prevents prostate cancer.

But how, with erectile dysfunction weighing down on your penis like a ton of bricks?

That’s why you need to have someone who is not only a doctor but a friend, as well. Someone you can talk about erectile dysfunction freely and unabashedly without being laughed at.

There’s really nothing to be prudish about this bane of midlife men. Ask any of your 30 or 40 something buddies. They all are experiencing the same thing.

They might even recommend to you some under-the-counter drug to make to enhance your sex drive and performance.

6. Get your affairs in order:

Midlife is the perfect time to get your affairs in order. Draw out a will if you must. Buy lots of life and medical insurance to spare your family financial loss should you fall down with a serious illness or even death.

Make peace with your God and those you have offended or those who offended you.

Midlife is the best time to be yourself; free from any hang-ups, from any unresolved issues, from any secrets you have failed to tell your partner.

Your kids (if you have any) are already grown-up, have families of their own and children, too. Reach out to them and give them your best hug and say, “I love you.”

Don’t worry if it surprises them (They usually are). Midlife is the time to pull off a few surprises of your own.

It is the time to have a life.

7. Make a change for the better:

Midlife is the time to start making a legacy, too. If you must, leave something that can make people smile, something that can make them remember you with kindness and compassion.

I don’t want to appear ominously morbid, but at midlife, you are at a vantage point where you can clearly see your past and the experience to chart a course for the future.

It is the time for reawakening – to straighten out your past mistakes, and to resolve to do better in the years to come.

Do it now. It will make your journey so many times easier, fruitful and meaningful.

I retired and retired engineer with long years in the corporate world with solid background in personnel motivation, career development, environment, process development and organization mechanics

As I retiree, I have re-engineered myself into a blogger, freelance writer, SEO content writer and online writing coach.

]]>Longevity Secrets of People Over 100http://jessicafan.us/longevity-secrets-of-people-over-100
Mon, 15 Feb 2016 12:56:32 +0000http://jessicafan.us/?p=52What can we learn from longevity secrets of people over 100? First, we exclude genetics, but assume this must be in their favor. Second, we look for diet and lifestyle similarities to form a behavioral pattern for healthy aging. Third, we condense these behavioral patterns into major lifestyle themes that led to increased longevity. Here are their lifestyles.

A study(1) starts with 122 year old JEANNE CALMENT (1875-1997) who actually smoked for 96 years, but only two cigarettes a day. She poured olive oil on all her foods and applied it to her skin. She drank port wine, ate two pounds of chocolate a week and rode her bike until 100. Her cigarette habit may be too little to be significant and she may have been protected by olive oil and other antioxidants.

SARAH KNAUSS (1880-1999) was 119 years old and considered the oldest person from the United States. She worked as a manager of an insurance agency. With little accounts, we have to rely on her daughter for an explanation. “She’s a very tranquil person and nothing fazes her. That’s why she’s living this long.” However, this explanation is not complete and I’m sure there is more to it.

EMILIANO M. DEL TORO (1891-2007) a man of 115 years who was born in Puerto Rico and worked in the cane fields until 81. He claimed that funche, a corn, codfish and milk dish saved him. He also felt that humor played a key role and continued to tell jokes until his final days. He was not as open about his love or social life, but admitted he attended bordellos up to 82 years old. His retirement years after 81 are not well documented, but we know he never lost his libido.

BESSE COOPER (1896-2012) who lived to a healthy 116 was a college grad in 1916 and became Georgia’s oldest resident after working as a school teacher. She had four children and always loved to read. She was quoted, “Mind your own business and don’t eat junk food. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated, work hard and love what you do.” Besse had respect for others, ate healthy, had a work ethic, and found her passion in education.

BEL KAUFMAN (1911-2014) who passed away at 103 was the Russian author of Up the Down Staircase. She came to the U. S. at 12 years old and earned a masters degree at Columbia. As a dedicated teacher, she understood the importance of laughter in life. “You can survive by seeing the humor in everything. Thumb your nose at sadness; turn the tables on tragedy.” This is a great attitude for managing stress which is important. She claimed, “I’m too busy to get old” and continued to write until 101 years old.

DR. LAILA DENMARK (1898-2012) enjoyed life as an American pediatrician until she was 103 years old. She was the third of 12 children and passed away at 114. When she turned 100, she refused her birthday cake because it had sugar in it. Her first advice is to eat right and be sure that what you do in life is what you love. She thought employment that you love is really a form of play and she never felt she worked because of that positive attitude.

1. A HEALTHY DIET – This seems like the most common of themes for most of the aged. Despite a lack of dietary details, its clear that a healthy diet is part the foundation for longevity.

2. HUMOR – When used as a form of coping and stress reduction, humor can be very effective. If you’re having trouble being funny, I find that a joke book helps.

3. LOVE OF WORK – It doesn’t have to be employment so much as to find something that you really love doing. This one is really about finding your passions to guide you.

4. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY – Being active and involved seems to take a bigger role than actual exercise. But, the prior generations didn’t have access to gyms and the fitness movement is a recent phenomena that we can benefit from.

5. SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT – Although relationships were not directly mentioned, there would be a lot of social contact though following the love of work and activity themes above.

]]>How To Make Your Life Even Betterhttp://jessicafan.us/how-to-make-your-life-even-better
Tue, 02 Feb 2016 12:53:54 +0000http://jessicafan.us/?p=48

I was recently asked to write an article centred around a quotation attributed to Gandhi. Turns out that Gandhi never came up with the words, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’. Poor ol’ Gandhi! Just as Confucius has been linked with having said stuff that he never uttered, so too Gandhi.

What could I do? I reframed the challenge of change into a question that has kept minds busy for thousands of years. The question is how can I live a life worth living?

If you’ve lived long enough, it’s likely that you will have your favourite observation about change. After all, people have been commenting about change since time immemorial. When it comes to change, the toothpaste is out of the tube and there’s no way of getting it back.

So, what matters most for you? Are you living a life worth living? Are you living a kind of life that others might want to hear about? And does that matter in the long run?

This can be tough going. Socrates reckoned that an unexamined (‘unexceptional’) life was not worth living. Yet, even when he thought that he was living a life worth living, others didn’t agree. The great South American Oscar Remero probably considered that he was living a life worth living, yet his boss at the time, Pope John Paul II, didn’t seem to agree.

No one can hope to tell another how to live their life. Only you can know what matters most to you and whether or not you’re living a life worth living. It’s akin to someone claiming to have found the universal meaning of life. Reinhold Niebuhr expressed most of our thoughts when he observed that, ‘Every time I find the meaning of life. They change it’.

Help is at hand. For some it’s religion and religious beliefs while others search elsewhere. Whatever your choice, these three tips might prove helpful.

Confucius: (I hope he said this) ‘The more man meditates on good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large’.

Rousseau: ‘Youth is the time to study wisdom; old age is the time to put it into practice’.

Live the change you’d like to see and, along your journey, you might find that your life is worth living.

For more information about Neil Flanagan, go to http://www.neil.com.au and while you’re there download a free copy of one of his bestselling books BLINK! The Speed of Life (How to add years to your life and life to your years).

As the years go by, the brain can become unhealthy if it is not properly exercised. It is important, particularly for senior citizens, to stimulate the mind to keep it sharp. Many healthy aging programs include a brain exercise routine that can help ward off dementia and keep the reflexes running smoothly. Here are a few examples.

Challenge the Brain

Engaging in a lot of reading, mind games, crossword puzzles, and other forms of healthy mental activity can help keep the mind very sharp. Participating in intellectual activities, even attending a class, can make seniors less likely to develop dementia.

Maintain a Social Life

Those who are socially connected with their community while aging will likely have a much better memory than those who do not. Active social engagement is critical to keeping the brain in good shape.

Watch Blood Pressure

As people age, blood pressure increasingly becomes an issue. While maintaining a steady blood pressure is ideal for preventing heart disease, it can also be very helpful in keeping the brain in good health. Through diet and medication, lowering the blood pressure has been shown to have a positive effect on the mental state of senior citizens.

Use a Computer Regularly

It is not uncommon for some seniors to want to avoid new forms of technology, as it can seem overwhelming. However, challenging the mind in this way is very helpful in preventing dementia. Healthy aging programs often provide a space for computers that can be used for a number of things. Using a computer and the Internet can keep the brain involved in decision-making and complex reasoning.

Take a Part-Time Job

For those who are in good physical condition, consider taking on a part-time job. Studies show that a job can help challenge the intellect and keep the mind healthy during the aging process. The more complicated the job, the sharper the memory and mental health will be. The job does not need to be a high-level position, but it should be something that requires organization, decision making, and multi-tasking. Doing these types of tasks can provide a wealth of benefits well into old age.

Maintain Physical Health

All healthy aging programs advise seniors to maintain their overall physical health. Those who become overweight, particularly near the waistline, have a much higher chance of developing dementia. Also, it is important to do some form of activity on a daily basis, such as walking or swimming. Eating a diet fresh in fatty fish and vegetables can also help prevent memory loss. Fish such as grilled tuna and salmon is great for the brain, as fatty acids have proven to be beneficial.

Keeping the brain in good shape should be a priority for senior citizens. Healthy aging programs can provide a variety of assistance to seniors who are looking for ways to keep their minds sharp and healthy, preventing the likelihood of dementia.